Senate body condemns attacks on girls’ schools

ISLAMABAD (January 29 2009): Senate Standing Committee condemned and showed deep concern on the blowing up of schools and threats given to girls from attending school in its meeting held today in the Parliament House here on Wednesday. Members of the Committee unanimously nominated Chairperson Bushra Gohar to meet Prime Minister as well as the provincial Chief Minister to discuss rehabilitation of the destroyed schools and to ensure security of women and children in Swat region.

Earlier Secretary, MOWD briefed the standing committee in detail about the functions of the ministry and the steps taken for the welfare of women in the country. At the end of the briefing the members of the Committee raised questions regarding progress on MDGs pertaining to women and children and CEDAW commitments and 4th report.

The members also took up the status of women’s employment in the public sector against 10 percent specified quota and implementation of women laws passed so far. The ministry was directed to provide relevant report/material on the said issues within a week. Moreover, the committee expressed concern over the delay in nomination of a minister of women’s development, Chair and Members of the NCSW and urged the government to expedite the process in this respect.

The Committee also formed a Sub-committee to review the bills referred to the committee by the National Assembly. The committee will begin reviewing it on priority basis The Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill, 2008. Dr Attiya Inayatullah was nominated as the convenor of the sub-committee.